What is a veneer?
Porcelain veneers are a type of medical-grade ceramic shell that covers the front surface of the natural teeth. Dental veneers offer an immediate transformation for a patient’s smile. Porcelain veneers are made specifically for each patient to ensure a perfect fit. The advanced materials look very much like the natural dental enamel.
Zirconia W2Veneers
A proprietary Zirconia-reinforced Lithium Silicate microstructure makes veneers the one and only CEREC material that allows complete control over the workflow process without sacrificing the quality of the final restoration. With crystallites four to eight times smaller than lithium disilicate blocks, possesses an ultra-fine microstructure that combines high flexural strength with a high glass content, resulting in an impressive strength and beauty profile.
Can W2Veneers Help My Smile?
W2Veneers are thin shells that are adhered to the front of teeth in order to improve the appearance of the patient’s smile. Veneers can be used to correct a number of cosmetic issues such as:
• Chipped teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Worn teeth
• Bleach-resistant teeth
• Misaligned teeth (malocclusion)
• Gapped teeth (diastema)
Veneers can dramatically enhance the cosmetic appearance of your smile. This is why they are sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics.”
FAQs
What are the Various Dental Veneer Types?
At W2 Veneers, we offer eMax (lithium disilicate), Empress®, zirconia, ultrathin monolithic, and ceramic veneers. Each type of veneer comes with its own unique benefit in terms of cost, longevity, and material quality. Here’s a breakdown on the various dental veneer types available at W2 Veneers:
- eMax (lithium disilicate). eMax veneers are crafted from lithium disilicate, a type of ceramic glass. Patients often choose eMax veneers for their durability, natural appearance, and to preserve more natural tooth material (compared to traditional porcelain veneer shells).
- Empress®. Empress® veneers are crafted from ceramic glass that has been reinforced with Lucite, a type of acrylic resin. Patients who are concerned with eating hard foods or grind their teeth at night often choose the durability of Empress® veneers.
- Zirconia. A relatively recent addition to the range of options is zirconia (zirconium dioxide). Zirconia has gained in popularity due to its strength. In studies, zirconia has shown to be 500% stronger than traditional porcelain veneers. Like traditional porcelain veneers, zirconia has excellent opalescent qualities and can be tinted to match the surrounding teeth.
- Ultrathin monolithic zirconia. An element known as yttria naturally shares a bond to zirconia. Ultrathin monolithic zirconia seeks to build off the impressive qualities of zirconia by making the crystalline bond to yttria more stable, which also creates a more durable material during the try-in phase of the procedure (when the veneer is checked for fit and esthetics).
- Ceramic veneers. Although the technology is half-a-century old, ceramic veneers are still a viable option for patients looking to cut down on the expense of the procedure. Ceramic veneers are made of layered feldspathic porcelain to recreate the opaque translucence of natural teeth. There is a tradeoff with ceramic veneers in terms of durability. Since ceramic veneers contain a high percentage of silicates, they are more prone to cracks and fractures compared to other veneer styles.
Veneers require the same level of care as natural teeth. Proper care not only helps keep your veneers looking beautiful but will also help extended their functional lifetime. Here are a few tips that will help you in caring for your porcelain veneers:
Practice positive oral hygiene. Yes, the surface may be porcelain or zirconia, but you should continue to brush your veneers to remove plaque and bacteria. Brushing and flossing around your veneers can help prevent gum recession, gingivitis, tooth decay, and other oral health complications that could put your veneers at risk.
Avoid hard foods and objects. If you’re a nail-biter or you enjoy chewing ice cubes, you should consider changing your habits to preserve your veneers. Like your natural teeth, excess force can cause your veneers to break, crack, or chip.
Avoid stains. Porcelain and zirconia veneers are less susceptible to stains than natural teeth. To maintain shade continuity across your whole smile, it’s recommended that you limit consumption of coffee, tea, tobacco, hard candies, berries, soy sauce, and balsamic vinaigrette.
Note: The tips on this webpage should be taken as general information, not advice. Always follow the care directions to you by your dentist.